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The alphabet murders 461

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The Alphabet Murders is a British detective film based on the novel The A.B.C. Murders by Agatha Christie, starring Tony Randall as Hercule Poirot.

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Plot

Albert Aachen, a clown with a unique diving act, is found dead, the murder weapon happens to be a poison dart. When a woman named Betty Barnard becomes the next victim, detective Hercule Poirot suspects that Sir Carmichael Clarke could be in grave danger.

As he and Captain Hastings look into the crimes, a beautiful woman with an interesting monogram named Amanda Beatrice Cross becomes the focus of their investigation, at least until she leaps into the Thames.

Cast

Tony Randall as Hercule Poirot

Anita Ekberg as Amanda

Robert Morley as Hastings

Maurice Denham as Japp

Guy Rolfe as Duncan Doncaster

Sheila Allen as Lady Diane

James Villiers as Franklin

Julian Glover as Don Fortune

Grazina Frame as Betty Barnard

Clive Morton as 'X'

Cyril Luckham as Sir Carmichael Clarke

Richard Wattis as Wolf

David Lodge as Sergeant

Patrick Newell as Cracknell

Austin Trevor as Judson

Windsor Davies as Dragbot

Drewe Henley as Bowling Alley Attendant

Sheila Reid as Mrs. Fortune

Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple

Stringer Davis (Rutherford's husband) as Mr. Stringer.

Production background

The part of Poirot had originally been intended for Zero Mostel but the film was delayed because Agatha Christie objected to the script. The film varies significantly from the novel and emphasises comedy, the specialty of director Frank Tashlin. Poirot is given buffoonish characteristics, while still remaining a brilliant detective.